Mental Health First Aid – 19th & 20th July

June 16, 2017

ONE IN FOUR Australians will experience a MENTAL ILLNESS in any given year

With the news of further local job losses in Gippsland recently, the ability to know how to identify and support someone suffering mental distress is something we all should be aware of. Overall, the percentage of people reporting a high or very high degree of mental distress in Gippsland is above the Victorian average.

Demographic and health data shows that incidents of mental health issues across Gippsland are becoming more widespread. Timely access to services is also an issue, especially at the early stages of mental illness when an intervention could easily stop the condition worsening or stop a person acting on suicidal thoughts.

Mental health first aid is the help provided to a person who is developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves.

Learn the signs and symptoms of mental health problems, learn how to provide initial support and find out where and how to get help.